Course Descriptions

Course names are followed by their number of credits. Most courses are three credits:

DBIB 110 Old Testament Survey (3)

A historical survey of the Old Testament. Special attention will be given to the cultural background, to the theological and contextual perspectives, and to the practical application of major Old Testament themes.

DBIB 120 New Testament Survey (3)

An examination of the New Testament and of the historical, social, economic, and religious background out of which Christianity arose.

DBIB 400 Biblical Interpretation (Hermeneutics) (3)

A study of the problems and methods of Biblical interpretation, including the factors of presuppositions, grammar, literary and historical context, and the appropriate handling of the various kinds of literature found in the Bible.

DBIB 302 Historical Geography of the Holy Land (3)

A study of the geography and history of Palestine since antiquity, especially in relation to the nation of Israel and the Early Church.

DBIB 362 Life of Christ (3)

A study of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as presented in the Gospels and early Christian literature.

DBIB 363 End-Time Events (Biblical Eschatology) (3)

A study of Old and New Testament teachings on eschatology, including those aspects of the Kingdom of God that are already present and those yet to be fulfilled. Specific attention is given to concepts such as Messiah, resurrection, tribulation, millennium, judgment, signs of the times, and Kingdom of God.

DBIB 364 Life and Teachings of Paul (3)

A study of the life and teachings of the Apostle Paul as recorded in the Book of Acts and the Pauline epistles. Special attention is given to the beginnings and growth of the church.

DBIB 374 Romans: Your Path to Victory (3)

A basic study surveying the great truths found in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Key passages are dealt with in great detail. Particular attention is given to the major doctrinal and exhortative sections of the book with an application to Christian faith and practice.

DBIB 376 Hebrews and General Epistles (3)

A study of the New Testament books of Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, and Jude. Particular attention is given to the major teachings of these books as they fit into their original historical contexts and as they speak to us today.

DBIB 401 Israel Study Tour (3)

A travel tour to Bible lands in order to study the history, geography, and culture of the Scriptures.

DBIB 421 Pentateuch (3)

A study of the first five books of the Old Testament, commonly known as the Pentateuch. Emphasis is placed on the historical, cultural, and geographical milieu of these books.

DBIB 424 Hebrew Prophets (3)

A study of the origin and development of prophecy among the Hebrews during the first half of the first millennium B.C. Emphasis is placed on the messages of the prophets, historical background, and the social and religious implications of their teaching.

DBIB 437 Poetical Literature (3)

A study of the poetical books of the Old Testament, including Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations, with emphasis on Hebrew poetry and its relation to other ancient literatures.

DBIB 455 Luke/Acts (3)

A study of the Gospel of Luke and its accompanying text, the Book of Acts. Emphasis is placed on the historical and cultural milieu of these books, with special focus on how the Holy Spirit speaks to the church today.

DTHE 101 Holy Spirit in the Now (3)

Chancellor Oral Roberts analyzes Biblical concepts and principles that reveal the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Parallels of the dynamic ministry of the Spirit in today’s world are clearly drawn.

DTHE 230 Christian Faith and Ministry (3)

A cursory exploration of the Biblical truths and teachings of the Christian church. Emphasis is placed on the charismatic interpretation of these truths, especially as expounded by Chancellor Oral Roberts.

DTHE 399 Signs and Wonders I (3)

This course is designed to allow students to study the manifestation of signs and wonders in the history of the church, to learn from those servants of God whose ministries are characterized by signs and wonders, and to experience signs and wonders in their own lives and ministries.

DTHE 453 History of Christianity I (3)

A study of the development of the Christian church from its birth up to the Reformation, with emphasis upon the major historical movements, leaders, and theological issues of the period.

DTHE 454 History of Christianity II (3)

Survey of expression from the Reformation era with emphasis on the reformers and the impact made politically and economically. Special reference is made to the great missionary expansion.

DTHE 303 Major World Religions (3)

A survey of the major religions that are practiced in the world today. Emphasizes the major thought, ethics, religious practices, and history of each religion, with a view toward a Christian response to each religion.

DTHE 304 Contemporary Religious Cults (3)

An explanation of the history, theology, and evangelistic thrusts of alternative religious (cultic) groups in America. Each group is evaluated biblically.

DTHE 313 Bible Doctrines I (Prerequisite DTHE 230) (3)

Covers the idea of theology; the existence of God; Scriptures as revelation; and the nature, works, and decrees of God.

DTHE 314 Bible Doctrines II (Prerequisite DTHE 230) (3)

Covers the doctrine of the Trinity, decrees of God, creation, and providence.

DTHE 400 Signs and Wonders II (Principles and Patterns of Divine Healing) (3)

A continuation of Signs and Wonders I, this course is a study of the principles and patterns of healing demonstrated by Jesus and His disciples.

DTHE 444 Contemporary Theology (Prerequisites DTHE 230 and DTHE 454) (3)

A study of mid-nineteenth- and twentieth-century trends in theological thought from Schleiermacher to modern theologians, with special reference to theological options for the present day.

DPRM 305 Teaching the Bible (3)

Fundamental and advanced methods of Bible study relating to teaching situations in the church are studied. Thorough consideration of background information is encouraged for proper understanding of Biblical situations and their application to our present time.

DPRM 317 Principles of Biblical Counseling (3)

An introduction to basic concepts and procedures of Biblical counseling. Its purpose is to acquaint the student with a biblically oriented approach to people helping. The knowledge and skills gained may then be integrated into the student’s personal counseling style.

DPRM 320 Ministry Practicum (1)

The purpose of this ministry practicum is to provide the student with practical experience in ministerial responsibilities and in a broad range of roles performed in ministry. Trainees gain competence in essential areas of local church ministry. Three one-credit semesters of this practicum are required for a diploma. One one-credit semester is required for an advanced certificate.

DPRM 430 Evangelism (3)

A course dealing with the evangelistic dimensions of the pastoral ministry in preaching, counseling, teaching, visitation, and training the laity for outreach.

DPRM 461 Prayer (3)

A study designed to assist the student in evaluating and developing a life of prayer. Various approaches to prayer that have been described in Scripture and by Christian leaders are explored.

DPRM 301 Introduction to Christian Caregiving (3)

A study designed to examine the ―caring‖ aspect of the Christian life from theoretical, theological, and practical perspectives. The integration of the theoretical and theological perspectives with practical experiences is implemented and evaluated.

DPRM 304 Educational Ministries of the Church (3)

A study designed to introduce the students to the historical, philosophical, and theological basis of the educational ministries of the church. Includes a study of the basic principles and practices of organization and administration of these ministries, with emphasis on implementing programs to meet the needs of the learner through his or her life span.

DPRM 325 Introduction to Christian Missions (3)

A study designed to provide an overview of God’s eternal purpose—the preparation of a people for Himself from all the nations of the earth. By examining the Biblical foundation, the historical development, the cultural considerations, and the strategic demands of God’s work in the world, the student is challenged to the primary role of missions in the church.

DPRM 340 Sermon Preparation (3)

This course is designed to instruct the student in the proper interpretation and presentation of Biblical material through preaching. Basic communication skills and sound principles of hermeneutics of Scripture are addressed, and attention is given to the Biblical perspective of preaching, principles of sermon construction, and sermon delivery.

DPRM 397 Ministry Internship (3)

A study designed to provide the student with practical exposure to the missionary enterprise. It allows the student to experience the administrative, home-base operation that is essential to any missionary endeavor, to develop ministry skills through evangelism and church ministry, and to participate in a short-term, cross-cultural mission.

DPRM 460 Church Administration (3)

A study designed to introduce the student to the practical aspects administration within the church setting. This includes organization, planning, staff selection, motivation and training, evaluation, and general leadership principles and problems. Administrative procedures are centered on the Biblical and theological purposes of the church.

DPRM 300 History and Philosophy of Christian Education (3)

A study of the historical development of Christian education from its Biblical beginnings to the present. The emerging philosophies of education are presented in order to aid the student in developing a personal philosophy of education.

DPRM 312 Faith and Human Development (3)

A study of “whole-person” development and a wide range of practical Christian ministry in the local church context. Includes physical, intellectual, social, moral, and faith development for all ages.

DPRM 333 Ministry and Leadership Development (3)

A study of Biblical principles and methods of training believers for ministry and leadership in the church. Attention is given to spiritual growth, development, and equipping needed for effective ministry and leadership.

DPRM 402 Discipleship and Small Groups (3)

A study of how to develop and direct discipleship and small group programs within the church. Includes small-group principles, dynamics, and problems. Also considers the way Christian disciples are developed and gives practical guidelines for implementing discipleship in the church.

DPRM 454 Youth Ministry (3)

This course gives an overview of youth ministry within the local church including foundations for ministry, roles and relationships of the youth minister, and administrative principles and strategies.

DPRM 456 Children’s Ministry (3)

This course provides an overview of Christian education for children from birth through the sixth grade including age-group characteristics, leadership of various ministries, spiritual development, methods, resources, and current trends.

DPRM 455 Adult Ministry (3)

A survey of issues, developmental tasks, and Biblical principles for contemporary adults is provided. Special emphasis is given to adult learning and church and community programs of adult education.

DPRM 321 Christian Approaches to Counseling (3)

This course examines three aspects of counseling within the Christian context:

(1) a theological foundation for Christian counseling, (2) communication and relationship-building skills necessary for being an effective helper, and (3) helping theories and their application for the Christian counselor.

DPRM 405 Crisis Intervention (3)

A study to acquaint the student with the nature and dynamics of crisis situations. Emphasis is placed upon intervention principles and procedures in the context of situational crises. The approach includes the concept of training laymen for basic crisis intervention.

DPRM 418 Marriage and Family (3)

This course is a study to explore the dynamics of family relationships, particularly from the viewpoint of family counseling and therapy. The course focuses on knowledge and skills such as the theology of marriage and the family, problems of divorce and remarriage, courtship and mate selection, and the theory and technique of family therapy.

DPRM 422 Group Dynamics and Counseling (3)

This course involves participation in small groups. It includes an investigation of small-group processes through reading and surveying research literature with emphasis on development of interpersonal skills.

DPRM 429 Introduction to Codependency Counseling (3)

The theological, ethical, moral, medical, and practical considerations important in counseling those who are chemically dependent and those who are codependent.

DPRM 449 Spiritual Issues in Substance Abuse (3)

Most self-help programs refer to a higher power. This course identifies the spiritual issues associated with seeking a higher power from a uniquely Christian perspective.

DPRM 474 Premarital Counseling (3)

A presentation of specific skills and interventions that enable the counselor to engage prospective marital partners in dialogue concerning the Biblical, theological, and psychological aspects of marriage. The history of premarital counseling is reviewed, as is communications theory.